Session 3 - The Cold Trail
General Summary
With the bandit threat seemingly eliminated, the party has it's first oppurtunity to gather their thoughts since the day began. The farmstead will recover from the damage inflicted on it, but the lives shattered in this attack will never be the same. Funeral rights were performed by Father Wilhelm, and Cedric Jr., Farmer's Son and Ajax the Farmhand were laid to rest with the other victims of the attack.
While counting the bodies, Sophitia Barrows, Farmer's Daughter was horrified to discover that a girl was missing. The young Elana was not among the dead, nor was she hiding anywhere in the farmstead. While they investigated for signs of where she could have gone, the other half of the party returned to rescue Cletus, the Bandit from his captivity on the side of the road. Arrival at the ambush site revealed that the bandit's blood had attracted a small pack of wolves, who were already muzzle deep into the bodies of the would be ambushers. Presuming Cletus dead, they returned to the village in time to discover a thin scrap of fabric, suggesting Elana had fled into the wilderness at the first sign of attack.
Unable to recover her trail before nightfall, the group retired back to the farmstead to rest for the night and try again in the morning. Knowing that time was of the essence however, Vargan The Forester was able to slip away from the group, and through some strange ritual he recovered the trail of Elana, as well as evidence that she had been taken by one of the bandits. Wasting no time, the group ventured into the cold night and followed the trail to edge of a small pool. After struggling to cross the small creek, they eventually discovered the presence of a hidden cave behind a waterfall. Following the cave system, they discovered bandits had been hiding in the back of a natural cave, and Cletus had actually escaped the road before the wolves had found him. Bartering with their leader, a woman named Bridget, the group convinced her to give up Elana with the promise to spare their lives.
The promise was in vain however, as only moments later a water elemental materilized in the waterfall behind them, no doubt drawn to the unusual display of arcana performed by the four of them. In the ensuing battle, Father Wilhelm was thrown into the waters below, and Vargan was nearly drowned by the creatures assault. In the end however, Declan and Bragi shattered the creature's essence, but not before the battle caused the cavern to collapse around them. Escaping with only moments to spare, the group was able to rescue Elana, but the bandits were unable to escape the caves in time.
Now, with the threat form the bandits neutrilized, the party of four from Tribute returns to the farmstead for some much needed rest....
Rewards Granted
10 exp
